Frame for blackboards



0d 27, 1942 A. A ELNETT FRAME FOR BLAcKBoARDs Filed. Dec. 9, 1940 www B/Q/LQQQ ATTORNEY I Patented Oct. 27, 1942 ortica-1 11 Claims.

This invention relates to frames in general and more especially to metalframes suitable for supporting blackboards and the contrivances todaycustomarily associated with blackboards.

Among the objects of the present invention it is aimed to provide animproved metal frame forv supporting blackboards and the like includinga main frame portion, a metal finishing trim, chalk frames and metalclips for removably connecting the trini, chalk frames and the like tothe main frame portion.

These and other features, cap-abilities and advantages of the inventionwill appear from the sub-joined detail description thereof illustratedin the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a front elevation on areduced scale of a frame equipped with a cork board and blackboard.

Fig. 2 is a section enlarged on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental view of one corner of the frameequipped according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmental enlarge-d perspective of a portion of the mainstrip and clip detached.

In the embodiment shown there is illustrated a main wall W, which may bebrick as an instance,

to which are secured the metal strips of the main frame elements I, 2,3, l and 5, the metal strips of which, in cross-section, aresubstantially identical with one another, see as an instance thefragmental strip 6, which consists essentially of two parallel base.webs 'l and a main outer web 9, and intermediate webs connecting theouter web 9 with the base webs and 8, said intermediate webs includingthe intermediate. web Il, preferably extending vertically to the webs 9and 'I and Connecting the web 9 with the web l, and also including thestepped web portion I I consisting of two short web portions I2 and I3parallel to the web II and a connecting web lli between the web portionsI2 and I3, such connecting web Id extending parallel to the webs 7, 8and 9. On

the base web 'I at intervals, as desired, there are provided the springblades I5, known in the trade as double end springs each consisting of abowed portion I6 and a securing flange I'I, which latter flange issecured to the outer face of the base web by a rivet i 8, or the like,while the free end of each blade I5 rides on the adjacent base web 'I.

In addition to the spring blades I5 each strip 6 is also provided with aplurality of spaced apart 55 fastening clips I9 having the slots 20cooperating with the screws 2|,A which are screw threadedly connected tothe openings 22 in the web 9. The clips I9 preferably consist of a mainweb 23 in which the slots 20 are formed, which extend parallel tol theweb 9*, an outwardly flaring web portion 24 along one end of the web 23and a hooked web portion 2.5 along the other end of the web 23 (seeFigure 5), the hooked web portion 25 slightly flaring from theintermediate web portion 23. The clips I9 and strips B are preferablycomposed of steel.

When installed and attached to a wall, the webs I@ of theY strips 6 faceone another for the blackboard 2B', and the stepped webs II of thestrips ItV and ll face one another for forming the cork board 27. Whenthe cord board 2l constitutes a panel above the blackboard 26, asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the metal strips of the frame elements Iand 2 are supplemented between the frame elements 3 and 4 by strips 6 inwhich the stepped webs II also face one another to cooperate with the.stepped webs II of the frame elements 3 and 4 to support the cork board21.

As shown in Fig. 2, the strips 5 are secured to the main wall W byhaving screws 28 extend through the base webs l and 8 and also thescrews. I8 of the springs I5 extend through the base. webs 'I into thewall W. Metal strips of the frame elements I, 2, li and 5 are arrangedas aforesaid by having the webs Ill face one another, thereupon theblackboard 25 which may vary in thickness is placed against'the bowedportions Iii of the springs I5 between the opposing webs It), thereuponthe clips I9 move inward over the edges of the blackboard 26 and thescrews 2o are tightened, as shown in Figure 2.

The metal strip of the frame element 3, as aforesaid, and the metalstrips of the frame elements 2B and 3E) supplementing the metal stripsof the frame elements I and 2 are similarly secured to the wall W byhaving screws 28 pass through the webs I and 8 and the screws I3 of thesprings I5 pass through the webs I into the wall W, with the steppedwebs II facing one another, rlrst preferably to receive a plaster ller3i in the space between the webs I3 and then to receive the cork board27 on the sides formed by the webs I2 and |4 as shown in Figure 2.

If the blackboard 26 has already been installed then care must beexercised to see that the cork board 21 clears the hooked webs 25 of theclips I9 secured to the strip 4. Thereupon the clips I9 of the metalstrips 6 of the supplemental frame secured fiat against said base weband strip elements 23 and 30 and of the frame element 3 are moved overthe edges of the cork board 21 and secured in place by tightening thescrews 2 I.

Thereupon, there are secured to the metal strips of the frame elementsI, 2, 29, 30 and 3, the finishing trim strips 32 (see Figs. 2 and 4)which are preferably composed of aluminum and consist essentially of amain plate element 33 and two winged portions 34,135 extended verticallyto the plate element 33 land two inwardly extending ngers 3S and 31formed on the wing portions 34 and 35, respectively, the fingers 36 and31 being either slidably mounted on the clips I9 mounted on metal strips6 of the frame elements I, 2, 23,

30 and 4 or forced thereon, advantage being taken of the transverseyieldability of the strips 32.

To the clips I3 secured to th'e metal strip of the i lower frame element5, there is secured the chalk frame or shelf strip 38, see Figures 2 and3, consisting essentially of a recessed or trough formed upper web 39,and an inclined lower web 40 with an inwardly extending finger 4I at theinner edge of the trough formed web 39 and another inwardly extendingfinger 42 at the inner edge of the inclined web 40. This strip 38similarly is either slidably mounted on the clips I9 on the metal strips6 of the frame element 5 or are spring pressed into place, advantagebeing taken of the resiliency in the strip 38, it also being preferablycomposed of aluminum.

In place of the plain trim strip 32, see Fig. 2, the clips I3 or themetal strips 6 of the upper frame 3 may consist of a trim strip 42similar to the strip 32 and having extended therefrom the map receivingmolding 43 consisting essentially of the elongated projection 44 and twowing elements 45 and 45 extending parallel to the main plate 41 of thestrip 42. To this molding 43 picture hanging hooks 48 for securing thecords of maps or the like are connected, the hooks 48 consisting of wireor metal elements having two opposite U-shaped fingers 49 and 50 and acord receiving hook element I, which hooks 48 may be slidably moved ontothe wings 45 and 46 of the molding 43 as shown in dotted lines in Figure2.

As shown in Figure 2, ab-ove the web I5 of the metal strips 6 of theframe element 3 and below the stepped web II of the metal strip 6 of theframe element 5, the plaster layers or fillers 52 and 53 are disposed.Plaster illers or layers like the layers 52 and 53 are also disposed onthe wall W laterally of the outwardly extending webs of the metalstrips6 of the frame elements I, 2, 29 and 30.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to thedetails of construction without departing from the general spirit of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A frame for a blackboard or the like including a metal stripenclosure in cross-section a base web, an outer offset web parallel tosaid base web, an intermediate web connecting said base web to saidoffset web, a plurality of clips secured to the outer face of saidoffset web, a plurality of fiat double end springs secured to the baseweb, and means for drawing said clips toward said springs resiliently togrip the edge of a blackboard between said slips and said springs, theflat springs having an outer bowed portion to engage the blackboard, oneend portion being the other end portion free to ride on said base webaccording to the thickness of the blackboard portion being engaged bythe associated bowed portion and the consequent tension exercised onsuch blackboard portion.

2. A frame for a blackboard including a metal strip enclosure incross-section a base web, an outer offset web parallel to said base web,an intermediate web connecting said base web to said offset web, aplurality of clips secured to the outer face of said oifset web with aportion thereof extending beyond said offset web and spaced from saidbase web to receive an edge of the blackboard therebetween, a pluralityof flat double end springs, one for each of said slips securedtosaidbase web, and means for drawing said clips. toward said springs,resiliently to clip the edge of the blackboard between said clips andsaid springs, the iiat springs having an outer bowed portion to engagethe blackboard, one end portion being secured flat against said base weband the other end portion free to ride on said base web according to thethickness of the blackboard portion being engaged by the associatedbowed portion and the consequent tension exercised on such blackboardportion.

3. A frame for a blackboard including a metal strip enclosure incross-section a base web, an outer offset web parallel to said base web,an intermediate web connecting said base web to said offset web, aplurality of sets of clips and springs, each set including one clip andone spring, the clips being positioned on the outer face of said offsetweb and the springs being secured on the outer face of said base webadjacent to but spaced from a portion of its associated clip, thesprings including a flat outwardly bowed portion and having one endsecured flat against said base web and the other end free to ride onsaid base web according to the thickness of the blackboard portionengaged and the consequent tension exercised on the bowed portion, andmeans for drawing said clips toward said springs, resiliently to gripthe edge of the blackboard between said slips and said springs.

4. A frame for a blackboard including a metal strip enclosure incross-section a base web, an outer offset web parallel to said base web,an intermediate web connecting said base web to said offset web, aplurality of sets of clips and springs, each set including one clip andone spring, the clips being positioned on the outer face of said loffsetweb and the springs being secured on the outer face of said base webadjacent to but spaced from a portion of its associated clip, thesprings including a fiat outwardly bowed portion and having one endsecured ilat against said base web and the other end free to ride onsaid base web according to the thickness of the blackboard portionengaged and the consequent tension exercised on the bowed portion, meansfor drawing said clips toward said springs, resiliently to grip the edgeof the blackboard between said clips and said springs and trim and chalkshelf strips having offset gripping edges for engaging the edges of saidclips after having been secured in place to anchor the blackboard inposition.

5. A frame for a corkboard or the like includ-v ing a metal stripenclosure in cross-section a base web, an outer offset web parallel tosaid base web, an intermediate stepped web connecting said base web tosaid outer offset web including an intermediate oiset web parallel tosaid outer oifset web, said intermediate offset web'parallel' to saido'uter offset web serving as a -guide to facilitate accuratelypredetermining the level of therplaster behind the cork board, clipsdisposed on the outer fa'ce of said outer offset web and having aportionvthereof extending beyond. said outer oifset web adjacent to butspaced from said intermediate -oset web to receive therebetween the edgeof a corkboard and means for drawing said clips down securely to gripthe edge of the corkboard between said clips and said intermediateoifset web and the plaster behind the cork board.

6. A frame for a plurality of boards such as blackboards, corkboards andthe like including metal strip enclosures in cross-section oppositelyextending base webs, an outwardly offset web parallel to andintermediate said base webs, an intermediate transverse web connectingone side of said odset web with one of said base webs and extendingperpendicularly to said offset base webs, a second intermediatetransverse web connecting the other side of said offset web with theother of said base webs and including an intermediate offset webparallel to said outer offset web, a plurality of clips secured to theouter face of said oifset web with portions thereof extending beyondboth' sides of the outer oifset web, a plurality of at double endsprings, each mounted adjacent one of said clips on that base web whichis disposed adjacent said intermediate vertically extending transverseweb, and securing means for drawing said clips downwardly to grip anedge of a blackboard between said springs and the overhanging portionson one side of said clips and to grip an edge of a corkboard betweensaid intermediate offset web and the overhanging portions on the otherside of said clips, said intermediate web pci tion parallel to saidouter offset web portion when used for the cork board serving as a guideto facilitate accurately predetermining the level of the plaster behindthe cork board.

7. A frame for a plurality of boards such as blackboards, corkboards,and the like including metal strip enclosures in cross-sectionoppositely extending base webs, an outer offset web parallel to andintermediate said base webs, an intermediate transverse web connectingone side of said offset web with one of said base webs and extendingperpendicularly to said offset base webs, a second intermediatetransverse web connecting the other side of said offset web with theother of said base webs and including an intermediate oiiset webparallel to said outer oifset web, a plurality of clips secured to theouter face of said offset web with portions thereof extending beyondboth sides of the outer oifset web, a plurality of flat double endsprings, each mounted adjacent one of said clips on that base web whichis disposed adjacent said intermediate vertically extended transverseweb, and adjustable securing means including a slot in each clip and ascrew extending through said slot into said outer offset web for drawingsaid clip downwardly to grip an edge of a blackboard between saidsprings and overhanging portions on one side of said clips and to gripan edge of a corkboard between said intermediate offset web and theoverhanging portions on the other side of said clips, said intermediateweb portion parallel to said outeroffset web portion when used for thecork board serving as a guide to facilitate accurately predeterminingthe level of the plaster behind the cork board, said slot facilitatingadjustment of said clip relative be-secured in place. I

2'8. A frame for a blackboard including. a metal strip enclosure incrossesection a base web, kani outer-,offset web parallel to said baseweb, an!

intermediate web. connecting saidfbase web to said offset web., aplurality of vclips secured tothe outer face of said offsetweb with aportion `thereof? extending beyond said offset web but spaced from saidbase web to'receivean edge of the blackboard therebetween, .l aplurality of :flat double endsprings, onef'for each of'said clipssecured to said base web, and adjustable securing means including a slotin each clip and a screw extending through such slot into said outeroffset web for drawing the clip downwardly to grip the edge of theblackboard between said clip and its associated spring.

9. A frame for a corkboard or th'e like including a metalstripvenclosure in cross-section a base weban outer oifset web parallelto said base web, an intermediate stepped web connecting said base webto said outer oifset web including an intermediate offset web parallelto said outer offset web, said intermediate oiset web parallel to saidouter offset web serving as a guide to facilitate accuratelypredetermining the level of the plaster behind the cork board, clipsdisposed on the outer face of said outer oset web and having a portionthereof extending beyond said outer offset web adjacent to but spacedfrom said intermediate oifset web to receive therebetween the edge of acorkboard, means for drawing said clips down securely to grip the edgeof the corkbo'ard between said clips and said intermediate offset weband adjustable securing means including a slot in each clip and a screwextending through such slot into the outer olfset web andfor drawing theclip downwardly to grip the edge of the corkboard between said clip andan intermediatev web, clips disposed on the outer face of said outeroffset web and having a portion thereof extending beyond said outeroffset web adjacent to but spaced from said intermediate offset web toreceive therebetween the edge of a corkboard, means for drawing saidclips down securely to clip the edge of the corkboard between said clipsand said intermediate offset web and the space between the corkboard andthe building wall being lledwith plaster or the like, said intermediateoifset web parallel to saidvouter offset web serving as a guide tolfacilitate accurately predetermining the level of the plaster llerbetween the building wall and the cork board.

1l. A frame for a plurality of boards such as blackboards, corkboards,and the like including tothe edgesv ofthe blackboard and corkboard tooset web with portions thereof extending beyond both sides of the outeroffset web, a plurality of at double end springs, each mounted adjacentone of said clips on that base web which is dis- Web portion parallel tosaid outer offset web portion when -used for the cork board serving as aguide to facilitate accurately predeterminlng the level of the plasterbehind the cork board, the

space surrounding the frame beyond the building wall being lled with theusual plaster or the like,i

the outer offset web parallel to and intermediate said base Webs servingas a guide to facilitate accurately predetermim'ng the level of theplaster for the building Wall in the space surrounding the frame,

ANTHONY A. ELNE'IT.

